…Presidency: With almost 11 million votes, the coast is clear.
…Tinubu Harps on Continuity to Deepen Reforms, Democracy.
By John Paul
Strategists within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are projecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s massive 10.9 million votes in the party’s direct presidential primary as a political template for what they believe could become a landslide victory in the 2027 general election.
The development has, however, sparked controversy, with opposition sources alleging large-scale fraudulent miscounting in the nationwide exercise.
Tinubu was on Sunday presented with the Certificate of Return and the APC flag as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election after polling 10.9 million votes in the direct primary conducted across the country. The figure significantly exceeds the 8,794,726 votes with which he won the 2023 presidential election.
Party strategists are said to be seizing on the numbers as evidence of expanding grassroots mobilisation and growing consolidation of APC structures nationwide ahead of the next general election.
Even the presidency was not left out. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications in reaction to the numbers wrote on X: “With almost 11 million votes, the coast is clear” in obvious reference to the 2027 presidential elections.
Within opposition circles, however, questions have already emerged over the credibility of the primary vote tally. Some opposition sources alleged that the announced figures were inflated and did not reflect actual participation levels across several states.
Despite the criticism, APC insiders argue that the direct primary results have boosted morale within the ruling party and provided an early organisational advantage ahead of what is expected to be an intense 2027 presidential contest.
Speaking after his emergence at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu warned Nigerians against entrusting the country to politicians “with no clear alternative vision,” while vowing to deepen ongoing economic and institutional reforms if re-elected.
“This next election must not merely be a contest of parties or ideas, but a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s democratic maturity,” Tinubu declared. “Let’s not give in to complacency by allowing politicians with no clear alternative vision to take our country backward.”
The President said continuity remained critical to sustaining reforms already initiated by his administration, insisting that another four years would firmly place Nigeria on “an irreversible path” of economic expansion, industrialisation, energy security, and democratic consolidation.
Tinubu also used the occasion to highlight what he described as major gains under his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate reforms, improvements in foreign reserves, rising revenue generation, and fresh investment inflows into the oil and gas sector.
According to him, the government has also expanded education financing through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, improved electricity metering, and initiated major road, port, and power infrastructure projects across the country.
“We moved away from wasteful fuel subsidies, unstable exchange rates, and weak infrastructure. Today, we are witnessing a turnaround: the naira is strengthening, foreign reserves are rising, and our economic outlook is positive,” he said.
The President acknowledged that many Nigerians were still facing economic hardship due to inflation and adjustment pressures, but insisted his administration remained focused on stabilising the economy and improving living conditions.
On security, Tinubu pledged intensified investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, and military capabilities, while urging the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments for the creation of state police.
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he said.
Tinubu also extended an olive branch to opposition figures and critics of his administration, saying democracy thrives on diversity of ideas rather than uniformity of thought.
“To those who differ with our philosophy, we offer dialogue and engagement, confident that the sincerity of our purpose and the results of our work will speak for themselves,” he stated.
The President commended his sole challenger in the APC primary, Stanley Osifo, for accepting the outcome of the exercise despite losing overwhelmingly. Osifo reportedly secured 16,503 votes after refusing to step down during failed consensus negotiations ahead of the primary.